Discussion: Q3 Volume 41

@wahlquistj Congratulations!! 🥳

@writhmic Awesome, congrats!! 🎉

@kz_richards Congratulations!! 🌟Good luck for Q4, you can do it!! 👏

@selsozhu Wow! Congratulations! 😃👏 Good luck for Q4!

@crlisle Congratulations!! ☀️✨

@michellejdiaz Congratulations!! 🌟👏 Best of luck for Q4! ✨

@amyms Don't give up!! Your next one might be your win! 🌟

Congratulations to everyone who placed and also to all who submitted their story! 🎉👏✨

I got an R or RWC this time (I actually don't know the difference, there were a list of common reasons why it might not have placed?).

Without being able to know for sure, I think my biggest mistake was breaking the rule of introducing the speculative element within the first five pages. There was a purpose with that in this particular story, and so I hinted at the spec. element in the title, thinking it might be enough. But alas, it probably wasn't.

Too bad, because I felt the story had a good message. But, you learn! And I hope this can help someone else as well. Don't risk it!! 😄

Good luck everyone with Q4! 🌟😃🤞

Posted by: @patricia-a

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Congratulations to everyone who placed and also to all who submitted their story! 🎉👏✨

I got an R or RWC this time (I actually don't know the difference, there were a list of common reasons why it might not have placed?).

Without being able to know for sure, I think my biggest mistake was breaking the rule of introducing the speculative element within the first five pages. There was a purpose with that in this particular story, and so I hinted at the spec. element in the title, thinking it might be enough. But alas, it probably wasn't.

Too bad, because I felt the story had a good message. But, you learn! And I hope this can help someone else as well. Don't risk it!! 😄

Good luck everyone with Q4! 🌟😃🤞

That sounds like an RWC; if there is a list, that's the comment portion of it. I got one myself this go around. I like to think of them as getting an R-plus! Still an R, but with a little nod of approval . Generally, means that your story is pretty well put together except for one or two issues, usually laid out in the list they give you.

If you look through your story and can quickly figure out which of them is your weak point, it may be a good idea to work on it, remedy the shortcomings, and submit it again. Or just box it up for the time being and crank out a new story; any writing is forward momentum.

Just remember that even an R doesn't necessarily mean that it's not a good story; it may just not be a good fit for WotF. I once took a straight R story that I really enjoyed writing and, changing nothing, had it accepted in the first other market that I tried. Keep writing, keep moving forward, and you'll be surprised when and where success finds you.

Straight R here.  Congrats to those who earned certificates, and I hope there are folks being quiet for wonderful reasons.

Sigh. Another RWC here. Thought I had a good story, but it was a bit counter-culture, likely bothered the readers.

Posted by: @patricia-a

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I got an R or RWC this time (I actually don't know the difference, there were a list of common reasons why it might not have placed?).

If you got the email with categories of possible problems, that's an RWC. The comments are general rather than personal. 

An R is a reject with some stated reason: you left your name on the story, the story was too long or too short, the formatting was too strange for them to read, it wasn't in English, it was offensive, etc. In general, you didn't follow the rules of the contest—and they'll tell you in what way.

Solid R here. Congrats to all the Honorable Mentions and higher!

I already submitted another one for Q3 back in July so I just have to wait now.  I don't think I can submit another one until October-December. I prefer to write fantasy, and I so rarely see fantasy stories winning in this contest (or any contests). I know there have been a few, but most publications in general seem to prefer weird, futuristic stories. I might have to try writing something different from my usual fare if I want to win.

@amyms  , be true to yourself. I also primarily try to write fantasy. (That being said, I just started a Sci-fi story to see how it does in Q1 of next year.)  It can't hurt to step out of a comfort zone once in a while and see what happens.

Posted by: @amyms

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I might have to try writing something different from my usual fare if I want to win.

You know, I totally get that. Nothing wrong with trying something different. Just be aware of the thin line between stepping out of your comfort zone and trading your passion for glory. If you feel inspired to do Sciencefiction, go for it. If you do it only for a chance at winning, I'd strongly suggest you keep focussing on what you love. As far as I know, there's actually a far bigger market for Fantasy than for Sciencefiction anyway

@amyms I find I also prefer to write fantasy short stories, so we're in good company

@Jason I got HM's for both Q1(2023) and Q2(2024). Unfortunately, Q3 didn't pan out for me and I just sent in some of my newest art entries for Q4...let's see...keeping all my fingers crossed...

And-now waiting to submit to Q1(2024) again (Oct.-Dec.2024). I have a surplus of new artwork on hand as I've been cranking away at it and using up my pencils and other media including white posterboards-which is really nice so I'm not short and need to be adding previous images + a new one like in the past last year 2023...  

It seems like there should be more q3 results... I hope that means we have some twitching finalists waiting for that 2nd phone call.

@cedars Thank you for clarifying that! Then it must've been the RWC Cheers to our R-plus then! 😃 And good luck in Q4!!

Thanks for the encouragement! Congratulations on that other R that got accepted! Thanks for sharing, that's inspiring

@ehonour Thank you for clarifying, it was the RWC with the list of general reasons. And my reason was staring back at me right from the top of them 😄

Good luck in Q4! 🌟😃

@amyms Good luck with the entry you have pending!! 🤞

I counted 5/12 fantasy entries in Vol 40 (not including the other stories). I have not read so many of the other volumes yet, but I think that almost 50% would be a good chance for fantasy as well! (Though I think it's true that it must have a unique take to have a chance in this contest.)

Write what you love! ✨ 

I almost forgot. I got an HM. 

Brain has been elsewhere lately  

The judging results are in! And here are the 3rd Quarter 2024 Writers of the Future Contest winners for Volume 41. Congratulations to you all!

https://writersofthefuture.com/writers-of-the-future-3rd-quarter-winners-announced-for-volume-41/

I'm so excited to be able to use this...

I got 3rd place!   

I still can't believe my story will be published in Writers of the Future , or that I'm off to Hollywood , but seeing the blog announcement makes it feel more real. I'm just stunned really, and super happy.

Thank you to everyone on the forum who has critiqued my stories and provided advice over the past few years, it has made me a better writer and helped me become a WotF winner. This forum is a fantastic community, so supportive, and it really does help produce winners. I can't wait to see which forumites get top 3 in Q4!

Happy writing!

@joel-c-scoberg Congratulations!

@martin-l-shoemaker thank you!

@joel-c-scoberg Congratulations!!! So good to see familiar names on the list. Way to go!

@kz_richards Thank you

Posted by: @joel-c-scoberg

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I'm so excited to be able to use this...

I got 3rd place!   

I still can't believe my story will be published in Writers of the Future , or that I'm off to Hollywood , but seeing the blog announcement makes it feel more real. I'm just stunned really, and super happy.

Thank you to everyone on the forum who has critiqued my stories and provided advice over the past few years, it has made me a better writer and helped me become a WotF winner. This forum is a fantastic community, so supportive, and it really does help produce winners. I can't wait to see which forumites get top 3 in Q4!

Happy writing!

You suck! We're gonna miss meeting in Hollywood by only a year, like ships passing in the night (on separate years...).

A massive congratulations though, I knew you had it in you, and don't forget that 3rd place is best place.